Cleaning instrument for matrices in typesetting machines



July 14, 1925.- 1,546.17]

R. E. HIGGS CLEANING INSTRUMENT FOR MATRICES IN TYPESETTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 13, 1924 IN VE I BY Patented July 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH E. HIGGS, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

Application filed December 13, 1824. Serial No. 755,622.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH E. Hides, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cleaning Instruments for Matrices in Typesetting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

his invention has relation to type cleaning instruments and it relates more specifically to a device for cleaning the matrices in a type setting apparatus such as the lino-type or similar machine.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it may be stated briefly that in all machines for setting type there is a. set of small, flat, rectangular pieces or metal known as matrices, some 780 in number comprising a set. Each matrix must be kept clean so that the operator can maintain a maximum rate of speed on the machine.

This he cannot do when the matrices become dirty. As: those skilled in the printing art are aware, gasoline or similar liquids cannot be advantageously used to clean a matrix, as this causes them. to deteriorate, permitting the ink to cause hair-lines on the printed matter.

lhe object of the invention is to provide an instrument which will clean these mawithout the use of gasoline or injurious liquids and so shaped as to rub and clean away the dirt.

Another object of the invention is that the cleaning instrument is so shaped that it will approximately fit between the ears and upon the edges of a matrix to remove the dirt.

The rub mat or instrument comprising the invention is also formed of one piece of material and has no complicated parts, hence may be manu'lt'actured economically.

With these and other minor yet important advantages in view, the invention will be more clearly understood from a perusal of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating its position when used in cleaning a galley of matrices.

Figure 2 is a side view of the instrument; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Referringto the drawings. more in detail, the instrument or rub mat is molded of one piece of rubber of relatively oblong shape on top and has a handle 1. This handle, however, may be alfixed separately, if preferred. 7

By reference to Figure 1 it will be noticecl that the bottom of the rub n'iat or instrument is rocker-shaped and has a ridge 3 extending below the main body 3. The ends 1-4 are bevelled as shown in the drawing so as to permit them to ride over and upon the ears 55 of matrix 6, a number of which are cleaned at one time, he placed edge up in a tray or galley 7. I we of these cars 8 is wider or larger than the one on the opposite side or" the matrix and the ridge 2 is therefore placed just oil the longitudinal center line of the bottom portion t to enable the ridge to travel between the ears and at the same time permit the ends l to slide over and rub oil the dirt, etc., and clean the ears. The curved bot tom of the ridge cleans and rubs the edge of the matrix between the ears. After one side of the matrices are cleaned they are reversed by simply turning over a. plurality of them at a time for cleaning theother side.

It should be understood that the rub mat I an parmay the

or instrument is not restricted to ticular material or specific shape and be made of any material suitable for purpose.

What is claimed is:

A .matrix cleaner formed of solid rubber comprising a rectangular body portion having the opposite ends of its lower face bevelled, a longitudinally extending rib pro-- jecting from the lower face said body portion and positioned intermediate of said bevelled ends, said rib having a convex lower face extending in contiguous alignment ith said bevelled ends, the lower face of said body portion at one side ct said rib being of greater width than at the opposite side of said rib, and a handle formed with the upper face of said body portion.

In testimony whereof I- have signed my name to this specification.

RALPH E. HIGGS. 

